Citrus County MIKE WRIGHT County Party to Committeeman, Belkin, and Not Any Activi- Was Losing Its Charter, COVID-19 Cases Staff Writer Deny Its Charter
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Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 Softball: Citrus races past Colts into regional semifinal/B1 THURSDAY TODAY CITRUSCOUNTY & next morning HIGH 82 Breezy with LOW thunderstorms possible. 70 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com MAY 6, 2021 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community $1 VOL. 126 ISSUE 210 NEWS BRIEFS GOP club faces elimination Citrus County MIKE WRIGHT county party to committeeman, Belkin, and not any activi- was losing its charter, COVID-19 cases Staff writer deny its charter. state committee- ties of the club itself. other than that an un- Citrus Republi- woman and chair- “Is one person worth re- named person within the According to the Flor- The state charter of Cit- can Party Chair- man, a decision moving the oldest club? Republican Executive ida Department of Health, rus County’s oldest Re- man Mike was made not to That’s what we’ve been Committee had leveled an 25 positive cases were publican club is at risk Moberley, who recharter the saying this whole time,” accusation against him. reported in Citrus County after county party leaders also is the state club,” Moberley Moberley said, adding “They showed me noth- since the latest update. leveled accusations Republican Party said, reading from Suncoast club members ing in writing,” he said. No new deaths were against the club’s treasurer, had lit- Mike a statement. refused to replace Belkin “They said, ‘it would be reported, for a total of president. tle to say about the Moberley In an interview, as president to resolve the best for your club if you 444. The North Suncoast decision to revoke local party Moberley declined issue. “This was a multi- resigned.’ Until I get To date in the county, Republican Club, which the charter. chairman won’t to be specific. month approach to re- something in writing, I renew club’s 11,079 people have started 36 years ago cen- “Based on the However, he said solve this. They chose not have no idea what they’re tered in Sugarmill Woods, club leader’s charter. the charter deci- to go that path.” talking about.” tested positive (including is appealing a decision by statements during a meet- sion is related solely to the Belkin said he was 99 nonresidents). top officials with the ing with the state club president, Mike never told why the club See CLUB/Page A2 One new hospitaliza- tion was reported, for a total of 721 hospitalized. Totals reflect prelimi- nary reports received by the state, and are subject to revision. Builders scramble in hot market Vaccine registration system open DOH-Citrus’ preregis- tration system to sched- ule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for all indi- viduals 18 and older and frontline health care work- ers is now available. Individuals can now be added to a waiting list for vaccine appointments and be notified when ap- pointments are available in Citrus County by visit- ing myvaccine.fl.gov or by calling 866-201-0442; TTY is 833-476-1036. As part of the statewide preregistration system, each county has a desig- nated number that indi- viduals can call and preregister with if they do not have internet access. Citrus County’s desig- nated helpline number is 833-540-2058. Vaccine supply remains limited and appointments may not be available for several weeks. As a reminder, the DOH-Citrus COVID-19 Vaccination site has moved and is no longer at the Central Ridge Dis- trict Park. All first and sec- MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle ond doses of the Suncoast Insulators and Specialties foreman Chris Russo hangs insulation Wednesday, May 5, in a new home under construction in Moderna vaccine are now Citrus Hills. provided at the Duke Energy/DOH-Citrus Labor, building materials COVID-19 Vaccination Site, 8200 W. Venable Record-breaking year St., Crystal River. For in- still in short supply formation, visit www. MICHAEL D. soaring lumber and CitrusCounty Health.org. BATES other building-supply Register Staff writer prices, “it’s a very diffi- for county real estate cult market to be in right to vote at mall Mark Hammer, owner now,” he said. MICHAEL D. BATES another 61 residential sales in- The Supervisor of of Hammer’s Carpentry The Citrus County Staff writer cluding townhouses, condos and manufactured homes, according to Elections Office will be Service in Lecanto, Building Division issued calls the current new- Citrus County experienced a the latest Florida Realtors report. available from 10 a.m. to 1,089 single-family per- home construction record-setting year in real estate and “Those numbers would be even noon Thursday, May 6, at mits in 2020, up 260 from market a two-edged the year before. — except for declining inventory — higher if we had enough available the Crystal River Mall at sword. “The building depart- the immediate outlook looks bright. inventory to keep up with the over- the main entrance next to One one hand, it’s red- ment is working over- The median sales price for a whelming buyer demand,” Tedrick Rural King. hot due to demand. time to keep up with the single-family home in March was said. “If we continue to sell homes Stop by to make “If you’re a builder record permits,” said $215,750, the highest it has ever at this rate, without any new homes changes to your voter re- and you want to make it, Stacey Worthington, been, according to Kelly Tedrick, being added to the market, Citrus cord or register to vote. it’s there for the taking,” president of the Citrus president of the Realtors Associa- County will run out of homes be- Information to apply for Hammer said. County Building tion of Citrus County. fore the end of every month.” election worker positions But given the labor Alliance. Last month there were will also be available. shortage, scarcity of 384 single-family homes sold, and See YEAR/Page A9 Those interested in building materials and See BUILDERS/Page A2 having the elections office staff at their organization or business should call 352-564-7120, fax 352- 564-7121 or email vote@ votecitrus.gov. Visit vote ‘Tater Tot’ loses battle with leukemia citrus.gov for more information. NANCY KENNEDY Shands, she was his first and he was surrounded by He was outgoing, nurse after he was the people who loved him — From staff reports Staff writer sweet-natured — and very diagnosed. most.” busy. He would greet peo- INDEX For most of his short “He was the most resil- Matthew’s mother, ple at the door with a big Classifieds . .B7 life, home to Matthew ient, energetic and joyful Megan Snodgrass, said smile and a handshake. Comics . .B6 “Tater Tot” Snodgrass was little boy,” she said. she will always remember He loved fishing and Crossword . .B12 UF Health Shands Chil- McKenzie and Mat- her son’s infectious smile. would tie a lure onto a dren’s Hospital in Gaines- thew’s dad, Matt Sno- “It lit up the room,” she Editorial. A7 pole and pretend he was ville, after being dgrass, have been a said. “He loved every- fishing in the pool. He Entertainment . A4 diagnosed with leukemia couple since last year. body. He was my baby.” would pretend his lure Horoscope . A4 in April 2019. “I’ve been extremely Matthew loved dressing was a fish and practiced Food . A10 The blond-haired little close with Matthew since up as a pirate, sword and casting and reeling. Lottery Numbers . .B3 boy, who would have he was 11 months old. It’s all, loved racecars, “Paw He had a cat named Lottery Payouts . .B3 turned 3 on May 10, lost a very special bond,” she Patrol” and “SpongeBob Hoppy and called her Obituaries . A5 his battle with his disease said. SquarePants,” Disney’s Meow. TV Listings. .B5 on April 30. On May 1, McKenzie “Toy Story,” making cars In February, Tater Tot For Tiffany Thompson wrote on her Facebook and trucks sounds, play- had the best day ever, a Special to the Chronicle McKenzie, Matthew’s page: “Yesterday, at ing “kitchen and cooking” family vacation to Disney Matthew “Tater Tot” death is especially poi- 4:15 he took his last with his sister Brooke, World, a gift from family Snodgrass, who would have gnant and heartbreaking breath while in my arms eating fried shrimp and friends. turned 3 on May 10, lost his because, as a pediatric and his daddy nearby. He Cheetos or anything that battle with leukemia on oncology nurse at UF knew how loved he was, made a mess. See BATTLE/Page A2 April 30. A2 THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 LOCAL CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE Moberley said clubs in the club are meeting existence less than Thursday to decide the CLUB 10 years require approval next steps. Continued from Page A1 from all three. Those Asked if he considered REDUCE YOUR with more than 10 years, resigning to avoid the Republican clubs are such as the Suncoast charter dilemma, Belkin chartered every four club, require just one said he wouldn’t. HOME’S ENERGY years, Moberley said. Usu- signature. “To succumb to their ally it’s a formality — a Moberley, who has pressure for a nonsense club sends paperwork to served in top Citrus Re- claim?” he said. “This is a CONSUMPTION NOW! the Republican Executive publican leadership for personal vendetta. Don’t Committee, which ap- nine years, said he has hold it against the club.” proves the charter. never before refused to Contact Chronicle re- Sometimes the state sign a charter renewal. porter Mike Wright at 352- committeeman, commit- Without state party ap- 563-3228 or mwright@ teewoman and county proval, the Suncoast club chronicleonline.com.